Culinary life observations

weekend edition — The main big news from the world of Hospitality, is that legendary hotelier Phillip Newman-Hall has retired. Formerly Raymond Blanc’s right hand man & general keeper of Le Manoir aux quat’ saison, Newman-Hall has now embarked on what looks like semi-retirement rather than the full blown thing, want to wish […]

The Weekend Edition

4 Oct, 2015 in Culinary life observations tagged Gordon Ramsay / Marcus Wareing / Movie / MPW / YouTube by chefhermes

weekend edition — So what’s been in the news this week? Well other than sordid tales of Dave Cameron’s Oxbridge days coming to light, and a member of the shadow cabinet who wants to treat dairy & meat with the same degree of social leprosy as tobacco, yes Kerry McCarthy you. The Savoy […]

The Weekend Edition

27 Sep, 2015 in Culinary life observations by chefhermes

opinion — The name of Kerry McCarthy isn’t probably one of the biggest names in British politics, but she’s desperate to make the most of her 15minutes of fame. Jeremy Corbyn’s new ‘militant’ vegan shadow minister for farming thinks meat should be handled just like tobacco in terms of public health. Saying […]

Dear Kerry McCarthy MP, SHUT UP!!!

25 Sep, 2015 in Culinary life observations by chefhermes

weekend edition — So it’s the weekend after the Michelin release, & quite frankly it was a bit of disappointment, even taking into account the leak. Other than that, there really hasn’t been any other culinary news worth talking about. Tweet of the week Shortly after the Michelin 2016 release was out in […]

The Weekend Edition

21 Sep, 2015 in Culinary life observations tagged Michelin by chefhermes

Michelin header — Michelin have yet again had their day in the sun spoilt. Not since 2012 ( 2013 guide), when an IT failure was blamed, has the guide been leaked. The story circulating on the internet is that somebody had stolen an embargoed copy, from a bookshop. Needless to say, Michelin UK […]

Guides: Michelin 2016 – The comment

17 Sep, 2015 in Culinary life observations tagged Michelin by chefhermes

michelin — Due for publication tomorrow, yet again the French tyre maker’s little red book has leaked. So here are the results for Michelin 2016: New 3 Michelin stars; None New 2 Michelin stars; Umu, London Araki, London New 1 Michelin stars; Portland, London Dining Room at The Goring, London Lyles, London […]

Guides: Michelin 2016 – Leaked

16 Sep, 2015 in Culinary life observations by chefhermes

TOG Knives — Back at the start of the year, I was approached by Rob Beagley-Brown of TOG Knives, about his product. For those au fait with ChefHermes.com & how we review products, you know it isn’t just based on a brief honeymoon period. No, no, no; We go the whole hog, witness […]

Product review: TOG Knives

11 Sep, 2015 in Culinary life observations tagged Anthony Demetre / Michelin / Phil Howard by chefhermes

weekend edition — So in a week that saw Pizza Express capitulate to public pressure over charging staff to process card tips & gratuities, swiftly followed by Zizzi & Ask brands. There has been no doubt that theses decisions have only happened due public pressure, not the confrontational style of the Unite or […]

The Weekend Edition

6 Sep, 2015 in Culinary life observations / Humour / Rant by chefhermes

weekend edition — In the week that saw yet another bunch of fame hungry wannabes/has beens locked in a house for seven weeks, aka ‘Celebrity’ Big Brother, was launched. The Hospitality sector has been reeling from the revelations about yet more shoddy treatment of its staff. Yes, what started out as an exposé […]

The Weekend Edition

30 Aug, 2015 in Culinary life observations tagged foodporn / MPW by chefhermes